Anthony Duwayne Turner, the former boyfriend and co-worker of slain Bank of America executive Michelle Avan, has pleaded not guilty to her murder, according to the Los Angeles district attorney.
Turner entered the plea Monday at his arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Van Nuys, California. The date for his next hearing will be set on Monday.
Avan served as a managing director at Merrill for 22 years before being promoted in June to head of BofA's global women's and underrepresented talent strategy, according to her LinkedIn profile.
The cause of her death was unknown, but she "appeared to have suffered trauma to her face," according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"We are devastated by the news," BofA said in a statement provided to ThinkAdvisor on Tuesday. "Michelle was a valued member of our company for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family."
Avan's son discovered her body last week, and a member of her family contacted police and Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. "Family members became concerned when they could not contact Avan," police said.
West Valley Patrol officers arrived at Avan's home and found Avan unresponsive, police said, adding that paramedics pronounced her dead.
Danny Bakewell Sr., executive publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, called her death "just devastating."
"Michelle was a dear friend and dedicated warrior for our community and a dear friend to me and my entire family," Bakewell said in a Los Angeles Sentinel report.
The Suspect
